Photographer's Note

The bowsprit of a sailing vessel is a pole (or spar) extending forward from the vessel's prow. It provides an anchor point for the forestay(s), allowing the fore-mast to be stepped farther forward on the hull.On large tall ships the bowsprit may be a considerable length and have several forestays attached. When not in use the headsails are stowed by being tied onto the bowsprit. The crew must then work out on the bowsprit to stow or prepare the sails. To minimise the risk of the bowsprit (and any crew working on it) being buried in large waves, the bowsprit is normally angled upwards from the horizontal.
The bowsprit has an ominous nickname widowmaker; maintaining the headsails upon the bowsprit was very dangerous business, especially on rough or stormy seas.
The photo was taken in Torontos harbour.